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Next Volvo XC90 to ditch dashboard buttons

VOLVO is looking to the future of in-car technology in next year's new XC90 by doing away with almost all buttons and replacing them with a new combination of a touch-screen, a head-up display and steering wheel-mounted thumb wheels. The system is designed to make better use of the available interior space while reducing distractions for the driver, but it will mean that users will have to start from scratch to learn how to operate even the car's most basic interior functions. To make it worthwhile Volvo is integrating new features like remote 'Park and Pay' applications and the ability to use and mirror Apple iOS apps in the interface.

Volvo Concept You (2011) at Frankfurt motor show

The Concept You, says Volvo, combines a sleek coupe-like exterior with a high-tech interior that keeps the driver in command via intuitive smart-pad technology. It also gives us a first taste of Volvo’s design direction as it readies the next-gen S80. Designed by Peter Horbury, Concept You builds on Concept Universe, which was shown at Shanghai 2011, and is based on Volvo’s new Scalable Platform Architecture.

Amazing muscle car and rare supercars go to auction

The forthcoming RKM Collector Car Auction at the Charlotte Convention Centre, USA features - as you'd expect - a wealth of American muscle cars. But sift through the catalogue and you'll discover some very interesting lots from Europe and Japan, too. We couldn't help but take a closer look, starting with a McLaren F1 car, formerly driven by James Hunt...